How long did it take you to write your first book and how did it come about?
I had been scribbling short stories on and off for years as a hobby, but I never showed my efforts to anyone as I was too shy about my secret writing. It was only when both my children started school and my mornings became free that I began to devote more time to writing – it was either that or tackle the mountain of ironing – so the writing won hands down! I tinkered about with my first novel for a few months, purely for fun, really losing myself in it as it began to take shape. I never imagined I would ever be lucky enough to get it published.
Do you have a typical writing day?
I try to write when the children are at school so I have the afternoons free to spend with them (or ferry them around more like). This means I have to be very disciplined about sitting in front of the computer every morning! Some days I find this a real pleasure but other days it’s like pulling teeth and I’ll do anything to avoid getting to work. I squeeze in any extra writing or editing once everyone is tucked up in bed at night.
Do you edit as you go along or at the end of the first draft? Do you find rewriting difficult? How do you feel about the editing process?
When I first started I used to write freely as I loved to see the words piling up on the page quickly. Then, once I had the first draft done, I’d go back and edit and prune until I was happy that the story flowed well. My writing process has changed a little in recent years in that now I try to plan more so that there is less editing to do! Editing is a complex and often frustrating process. Sometimes, everything makes sense and you feel the story and characters are exactly as you would like, other times you think it’s all hopeless and you get so bogged down that you can’t see the wood for the trees. At moments like that I find it’s good to take some time out and come back when I’m feeling fresher. The end result is always worth the pain though.
How did you get published?
I was very lucky because, when I eventually plucked up the courage to send off my unfinished manuscript, I got positive feedback from a few publishers almost immediately. This really encouraged me to keep going and gave me hope. A few short months later Penguin offered me my first book deal. I was so thrilled I almost deafened my poor editor with my screams of delight when she called to tell me!
What are you working on at the moment?
My fifth novel – A Message to Your Heart – is on the shelves now so I’m busy promoting that. I’m also working on my sixth book – a story about a woman who finds a secret letter that leads her on an adventure that has lots of comic and sometimes touching consequences.
Do you do much research for your books?
I'd love to say that I travel the world to research my books but the truth is that the Internet is my main source. I have to admit that I can spend lots of time Googling trivial facts when I should be working (please don't tell my editor though).
Do you find it hard to stay motivated? Are you easily distracted?
I am so easily distracted. It’s a strange thing but, even though I love to write, I will use any excuse not to start and will spend far too much time checking emails or surfing the Internet when I should be working. Twitter and Facebook are my downfalls! I do try to make myself do a certain amount of words every morning though and sometimes I can far exceed my quota – there’s no better feeling than when the words are flowing and the hours slip by!
What books are on your bedtime table?
All the ones I never manage to find time to read anymore! My reading time has suffered drastically now that I write for a living because the hours I used to spend reading I now spend at my computer writing. I love all the Irish women novelists though so their latest novels are on my to-read list.
And any tips for other writers out there?
Write a small amount every day – even a few hundred words. The process will flex your creative writing muscle and you will gain confidence and inspiration when you begin to see the words add up. Also, believe in yourself and your work. I never dared to hope that my books would be on book shelves around the world but it happened against the odds. Dreams really can come true.
What are your ambitions when it comes to writing? Will you continue writing fiction for example? Or do you have a memoir in you, just waiting to burst out?
I don’t think I could write a memoir – my life really is not interesting enough! (Unless you count the school run as interesting!) My main ambition is to still be lucky enough to write for years to come and to be as happy as I am now doing it.
I had been scribbling short stories on and off for years as a hobby, but I never showed my efforts to anyone as I was too shy about my secret writing. It was only when both my children started school and my mornings became free that I began to devote more time to writing – it was either that or tackle the mountain of ironing – so the writing won hands down! I tinkered about with my first novel for a few months, purely for fun, really losing myself in it as it began to take shape. I never imagined I would ever be lucky enough to get it published.
Do you have a typical writing day?
I try to write when the children are at school so I have the afternoons free to spend with them (or ferry them around more like). This means I have to be very disciplined about sitting in front of the computer every morning! Some days I find this a real pleasure but other days it’s like pulling teeth and I’ll do anything to avoid getting to work. I squeeze in any extra writing or editing once everyone is tucked up in bed at night.
Do you edit as you go along or at the end of the first draft? Do you find rewriting difficult? How do you feel about the editing process?
When I first started I used to write freely as I loved to see the words piling up on the page quickly. Then, once I had the first draft done, I’d go back and edit and prune until I was happy that the story flowed well. My writing process has changed a little in recent years in that now I try to plan more so that there is less editing to do! Editing is a complex and often frustrating process. Sometimes, everything makes sense and you feel the story and characters are exactly as you would like, other times you think it’s all hopeless and you get so bogged down that you can’t see the wood for the trees. At moments like that I find it’s good to take some time out and come back when I’m feeling fresher. The end result is always worth the pain though.
How did you get published?
I was very lucky because, when I eventually plucked up the courage to send off my unfinished manuscript, I got positive feedback from a few publishers almost immediately. This really encouraged me to keep going and gave me hope. A few short months later Penguin offered me my first book deal. I was so thrilled I almost deafened my poor editor with my screams of delight when she called to tell me!
What are you working on at the moment?
My fifth novel – A Message to Your Heart – is on the shelves now so I’m busy promoting that. I’m also working on my sixth book – a story about a woman who finds a secret letter that leads her on an adventure that has lots of comic and sometimes touching consequences.
Do you do much research for your books?
I'd love to say that I travel the world to research my books but the truth is that the Internet is my main source. I have to admit that I can spend lots of time Googling trivial facts when I should be working (please don't tell my editor though).
Do you find it hard to stay motivated? Are you easily distracted?
I am so easily distracted. It’s a strange thing but, even though I love to write, I will use any excuse not to start and will spend far too much time checking emails or surfing the Internet when I should be working. Twitter and Facebook are my downfalls! I do try to make myself do a certain amount of words every morning though and sometimes I can far exceed my quota – there’s no better feeling than when the words are flowing and the hours slip by!
What books are on your bedtime table?
All the ones I never manage to find time to read anymore! My reading time has suffered drastically now that I write for a living because the hours I used to spend reading I now spend at my computer writing. I love all the Irish women novelists though so their latest novels are on my to-read list.
And any tips for other writers out there?
Write a small amount every day – even a few hundred words. The process will flex your creative writing muscle and you will gain confidence and inspiration when you begin to see the words add up. Also, believe in yourself and your work. I never dared to hope that my books would be on book shelves around the world but it happened against the odds. Dreams really can come true.
What are your ambitions when it comes to writing? Will you continue writing fiction for example? Or do you have a memoir in you, just waiting to burst out?
I don’t think I could write a memoir – my life really is not interesting enough! (Unless you count the school run as interesting!) My main ambition is to still be lucky enough to write for years to come and to be as happy as I am now doing it.
